Safety cabinet

Abstract

The safety cabinet of the present invention has an opening on the front of the working chamber and a front door, which supplies clean air to the working chamber from above. Side slits are provided on the side of the working chamber, so that the air from the side slits converges into the airflow path drawn in from the front mesh of the worktable forming the bottom surface of the working chamber, thus preventing airflow turbulence even when a device is provided in the working chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to safety cabinets used in the development of medical products and the research of pathogens. Background Technology

[0002] Safety cabinets are used in situations where pathogens need to be handled, such as in cell manipulation and observation, research on pathogens such as viruses, and the development of medical supplies such as vaccines.

[0003] As an example of a safety cabinet, Patent Document 1 discloses a safety cabinet comprising: a work space for an operator to perform work; a front door formed on the front of the work space; a work opening connected to the work space below the front door; and an exhaust mechanism that draws in air from the work opening and exhausts the air from the work space to the outside of the safety cabinet via an air cleaning mechanism and a blower. A front door baffle is formed on the lower side of the front door, inclined toward the inward direction of the work space. Left and right side walls are provided in the work space, forming a side exhaust flow path with the side walls and the side of the safety cabinet. A gap is formed on the left and right side walls, through which air from the work space is transported to the side exhaust flow path and exhausted by the air cleaning mechanism.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-073457 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] Using a safety cabinet can prevent contamination caused by cell manipulation, observation, or handling of pathogens in the work area, and can also prevent the leakage of pathogens from the work area to the worker.

[0009] Regarding the biosafety cabinet disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operator sits in front of the cabinet and extends their arms into the work space through the working opening below the front door to perform the work. However, it does not consider the situation where devices such as cell manufacturing equipment or delivery equipment, such as bio-3D printers, are installed inside the biosafety cabinet for operation. That is, it does not consider the overall downward airflow velocity inside the work chamber when such devices are installed. Furthermore, it does not consider the airflow within the work space when devices such as insulated boxes are connected to only one side of the biosafety cabinet body.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to provide a safety cabinet that, even when equipped with cell manufacturing equipment such as a bio-3D printer or a transport device, can prevent contamination of cells or pathogens.

[0011] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a safety cabinet that can prevent cells or pathogens from being contaminated when only one side of the main body of the safety cabinet is connected to a device such as an insulated box.

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide a safety cabinet that can prevent the leakage of cells or pathogens from the work chamber to the operator.

[0013] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0014] To address the aforementioned issues, one example of the "safety cabinet" of the present invention is a working chamber formed inside the front door. Air is drawn into the working chamber, purified, and a portion is supplied to the working chamber while another portion is discharged. The safety cabinet includes: a work platform forming the bottom surface of the working chamber; a lower flow path formed by the work platform and a portion of the safety cabinet; a side flow path formed by a side of the working chamber and a portion of the side of the safety cabinet; a rear flow path formed by a rear of the working chamber and a portion of the rear of the safety cabinet; and a circulating flow path formed by at least the lower flow path, the side flow path, and the rear flow path. The safety cabinet also includes a slit formed on the side of the working chamber, through which airflow from the working chamber is drawn in, passing through the side chamber and converging into the lower flow path.

[0015] Invention Effects

[0016] According to the present invention, a side gap is provided on the side of the working chamber so that the exhaust airflow from the working chamber converges into the airflow path drawn in from the front mesh of the workbench. Thus, even when a device is connected to either the left or right side of the main body of the safety cabinet, clean air can be exhausted from the working chamber without creating a pressure difference around the connection, thereby suppressing contamination in the working chamber.

[0017] In addition, by venting dust generated by the operator or by the operation of the equipment through the side gaps into the exhaust circulation path, the cleanliness of the work chamber can be maintained.

[0018] Other issues, structures, and effects beyond those described above will become clearer through the following description of implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1A This is a front view of the safety cabinet.

[0020] Figure 1B This is a cross-sectional side view of the safety cabinet.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a three-dimensional cross-sectional view of the safety cabinet.

[0022] Figure 3A This is a front view of the safety cabinet.

[0023] Figure 3B This is a cross-sectional side view of the safety cabinet.

[0024] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing details of the work compartment of the safety cabinet. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Example 1

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention are described below using the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, in the drawings used to illustrate the embodiments, the same names and reference numerals are used to label the same constituent elements, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0027] Before describing the details of the embodiments, the operation of the safety cabinet will be briefly explained. Figure 1A The image shows a rough front view of the safety cabinet. Figure 1B The middle indicates the view from the left. Figure 1A A schematic side view of the safety cabinet with section A-A'.

[0028] Safety cabinets are devices that include various types of cabinets used in regenerative medicine, industrial applications, etc. In the following description, a safety cabinet used in the development of medical supplies or in the research of pathogens will be specifically described.

[0029] Inside the safety cabinet housing constituting the safety cabinet 11, there is a work chamber 12 where the operator can reach in to perform tasks. A front door 13, which slides up and down to open and close, is located on the front of the work chamber 12. The front door 13 is made of a transparent material such as glass or hard plastic, allowing a view of the interior. When the safety cabinet fan 14 is running, the pressure chamber 15 is pressurized. A blow-out HEPA filter 16 is connected to the pressure chamber 15, filtering dust from the pressure chamber 15. The cleaned air is then rectified by a blow-out rectifier 17 and supplied to the work chamber 12 as a blow-out airflow 18. Multiple rear slits 19 are provided on the rear side of the work chamber 12 to draw in air. Multiple front slits 20 are provided on the front of the bottom surface (work surface) of the work chamber 12 below the front door 13.

[0030] An exhaust HEPA filter 21 is also connected to the pressure chamber 15. Air pressurized in the pressure chamber 15 is filtered by the exhaust HEPA filter 21 and exhausted from the safety cabinet 11 as exhaust air 23 through the safety cabinet exhaust port 22. An equal amount of air as the air exhausted from the safety cabinet 11 enters the safety cabinet 11. This air is an inflow airflow 25 generated by the working opening 24 below the front door 13.

[0031] The inflow airflow 25, together with a portion of the outflow airflow 18 from the work chamber 12, is drawn into the front gap 20. This air passes through the lower flow path 36 formed by the worktable 26 and a portion of the cabinet body. The outflow airflow 18 supplied to the work chamber 12 is drawn in through the front gap 20 and merges with the aforementioned lower flow path 36. A portion of the outflow airflow 18 is drawn in from the rear gap 19 formed on the opposite side (opposite side) of the front door 13 of the work chamber 12 and is drawn into the cabinet fan 14 through the rear flow path 27.

[0032] The lower flow path 36 is formed by the lower side of the workbench 26 and a portion of the main body of the safety cabinet 11. The rear flow path 27 is formed by the rear side of the work chamber 12 and a portion of the outer side (rear) of the safety cabinet. In addition, the side flow path 30 is formed by the side of the work chamber 12 and a portion of the side of the main body of the safety cabinet 11.

[0033] A portion of the airflow passing through the circulation paths, including the lower flow path 36, the rear flow path 27, and the side flow path 30, is drawn into the safety cabinet fan 14 and discharged from the safety cabinet 11 as exhaust air 23.

[0034] The connecting part 28 connects to the main body 11 of the safety cabinet and other external devices such as the insulated box. The connecting part 28 forms an air barrier (airtight layer) to prevent contaminated air from entering the work chamber 12 from the outside of the safety cabinet 11. To form the air barrier, a connecting part gap 32 is provided around the connecting part 28 (see reference). Figure 2 The gap 32 of the connecting part is integrally provided with a side flow path 30 on the side of the safety cabinet 11 in such a way that it surrounds the connecting part 28. A portion of the contaminated air from the outside of the safety cabinet 11 and the airflow 18 blown out of the work chamber 12 pass through the side flow path 30 and are drawn into the safety cabinet fan 14. When the connecting part 28 for connecting insulated boxes, etc., is provided on either the left or right side of the safety cabinet, the airflow 18 blown out of the work chamber 12 may be deflected toward the connecting part side.

[0035] Furthermore, if the work chamber 12 is equipped with a device for cell manufacturing or a device for transporting cells, there is a concern that dust may be generated from the movable part of the device, and the device installed in the work chamber 12 may cause the airflow 18 to become turbulent.

[0036] In existing safety cabinets, when a connecting part 28 for connecting an insulated box or the like is installed on either the left or right side of the safety cabinet, the airflow 18 from the operating chamber 12 may deflect toward the connecting part.

[0037] Furthermore, if the work chamber 12 is equipped with a device for cell manufacturing or transport, airflow deviation may occur.

[0038] With connecting parts on either side of the safety cabinet, if devices such as cell manufacturing equipment or conveying equipment are installed in the working chamber 12, the airflow deviation will further increase. When dust or other contaminants remain in the working chamber 12, it increases the chance of contact with the operator. Therefore, contamination occurs, raising concerns about the safety cabinet's performance. Furthermore, because the distance from the dust source (such as equipment located in the working chamber 12) to the front and rear gaps 20 and 19 is longer, the deviation of the outflow 18 is further amplified, raising concerns about the safety cabinet's performance.

[0039] In this embodiment, in addition to the front gap 20, the rear gap 19, and the connecting gap 32, the safety cabinet is also provided with a circulation path including the side gap 111, which draws in the blown airflow 18 from the working chamber 12 and can recover dust from the movable part of the device.

[0040] That is, by providing a side gap 111 on the side of the working chamber 12 opposite to the connecting part 28, airflow is drawn into the working chamber 12 through the side gap 111 and converged into the lower flow path 36 drawn in from the front gap 20 of the worktable 26, thereby exhausting clean air from the working chamber and suppressing pollution in the working chamber.

[0041] Figure 2 Indicates in Figure 1B The B-B' section is a schematic perspective view of the safety cabinet in this embodiment, viewed from the right side.

[0042] When connecting the main body 11 of the safety cabinet to an insulated box, a connecting part 28 is necessary. Figure 2 The image shows an example where the connecting part 28 is provided on the right side of the safety cabinet 11, but the connecting part can also be provided on the left side.

[0043] In the connecting part 28, in order to form an air barrier to prevent contaminated air from entering the working chamber 12, a connecting part intake slit 32 is provided around the connecting part 28. A portion of the outflow 18 drawn in from the connecting part intake slit 32 passes through the side flow path 30 and is drawn into the safety cabinet fan 14. The side flow path 30 is formed by a portion of the side 38 of the working chamber 12 and the main body side 37 of the safety cabinet 11. In order to maintain negative pressure, a sealing material or the like is provided at the part where the side flow path 30 meets the connecting part 28 to prevent airflow leakage.

[0044] The lower flow path 36 is formed by the lower surface of the workbench 26 and a part 31 of the main body of the safety cabinet, through which the airflow 34 flows.

[0045] On the left side of the safety cabinet 11, opposite to the connecting part 28, a side chamber 110 is provided, through which the side airflow 33 drawn in from the side gap 111 converges into the lower flow path 36. The side chamber 110 and the lower flow path 36 are at the same pressure. Like the connecting part 28, the side chamber 110 is provided with sealing material to prevent airflow leakage. Since the side chamber 110 can be made smaller than the connecting part 28, less sealing material is required for the side chamber 110 than for the connecting part 28, thus reducing the risk of airflow leakage.

[0046] The side slits 111 are positioned at a height lower than that of the equipment or the like installed in the work chamber 12, and preferably near the worktable 26. The side slits 111 are provided in a necessary number to form a necessary area for drawing in the same amount of air as the air intake slits 32 of the connection portion 28 provided on the opposite side of the work chamber. Figure 2 In the example, by forming the side gap 111 into a two-layer structure, a balance is achieved with the air drawn in from the air intake gap 32 of the connecting part.

[0047] In this way, by providing side gaps 111, airflow is drawn from the work chamber 12 through side gaps 111 and converges into the lower flow path 36 drawn from the front gap 20 of the worktable 26. This allows the airflow towards the deflection connection 28 to flow into the work chamber 12 in a well balanced manner, and clean air is exhausted from the work chamber, thereby suppressing pollution in the work chamber.

[0048] Figure 3A , Figure 3B The image shows an example of a safety cabinet as an embodiment. Figure 3A This is a cross-sectional view of the safety cabinet from the front. Figure 3B Viewed from the right Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of the safety cabinet with section A-A'.

[0049] exist Figure 3A The structure of the side chamber 110 is shown in the figure. Figure 3B The diagram shows the structure of the side gap 111, and also shows the airflow in the working chamber 12 of the safety cabinet 11 and the circulating flow paths such as the lower flow path 36, the side flow path 30, and the rear flow path 27.

[0050] Multiple side slits 111 are provided on the side of the work chamber 12. The airflow 18 supplied to the work chamber 12 is drawn in through the side slits 111, flows through the side chambers 110 and converges into the lower surface airflow 34 of the lower flow path 36 below the worktable 26, and is drawn into the safety cabinet fan 14 through the side flow path 30. A portion of the airflow 18 is also drawn in through the rear slit 19 formed on the opposite side of the front door 13, flows through the rear flow path 27, and is drawn into the safety cabinet fan 14.

[0051] Figure 4 This is a perspective view showing the details inside the work chamber. The outflow 18 drawn in by the side gap 111 on the side of the work chamber 12 passes through the side chamber 110 and converges into the lower flow path 36 that passes below the work table 26.

[0052] The lower flow path 36 below the worktable 26 and the side chamber 110 are at the same pressure. By setting flow paths with the same pressure, the side flow path can be set as a whole in the side of the safety cabinet, unlike the side of the connection. When the left and right sides of the safety cabinet 11 are connected to other devices, the side gaps 111 are set in such a way that the same intake air velocity as around the connection is formed, which can suppress the turbulence of the outflow 18 in the work chamber 12.

[0053] In the case where the work chamber 12 is equipped with a device for cell manufacturing or a device for transporting cells, there is a concern that dust may be generated from the movable parts of the device.

[0054] Existing safety cabinets have a front slit 20 and a rear slit 19, drawing in and expelling airflow 18 from the front and rear of the working chamber 12. Airflow 18 is also drawn in through the connecting slit 32 at the connecting part 28, causing the airflow 18 to deviate left and right within the working chamber 12. In this embodiment, a side slit 111 is provided in the working chamber 12 on the side opposite to the connecting slit 32, allowing airflow to be drawn in from the side of the working chamber 12 opposite to the connecting part 28. This prevents airflow deviation within the working chamber 12. Furthermore, dust can be recovered from the vicinity of the device installed in the working chamber 12 through the side slit 111.

[0055] According to this embodiment, the airflow drawn in from the side merges with the flow path under the work surface, thereby preventing airflow turbulence in the work chamber and suppressing contamination. In addition, the airflow drawn in from the side gap 111 flows into the lower flow path 36 through the side chamber 110, so the flow path can be omitted entirely within the side of the safety cabinet.

[0056] In addition, when a device is installed in the work chamber, dust can be recovered from the area near the dust source, which can suppress pollution caused by the operation of the device's conveyor and manual operation.

[0057] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0058] 11. Safety cabinet

[0059] 12. Workroom

[0060] 13. Front entrance

[0061] 14. Safety cabinet fan

[0062] 15 Pressure Chambers

[0063] 16. Blowout using HEPA filter

[0064] 17. Blowout rectifier plate

[0065] 18. Blow out airflow

[0066] 19. Rear gap

[0067] 20 Front seam

[0068] 21. Exhaust HEPA filter

[0069] 22 Exhaust port

[0070] 23 Exhaust air

[0071] 24. Working opening

[0072] 25. Inflow airflow

[0073] 26 workbenches

[0074] 27 Back flow path

[0075] 28 Connecting parts

[0076] 29 gaps

[0077] 30 Side flow path

[0078] 32. Gap at the joint

[0079] 33 Lateral airflow

[0080] 34. Airflow on the lower surface

[0081] 36 Lower flow path

[0082] 37 Main body side view

[0083] 38. Side view of the work room

[0084] 110 Lateral chamber

[0085] 111 Side gap.

Claims

1. A safety cabinet having a working chamber formed on the inside of the front door, purifying air drawn into the working chamber, supplying a portion into the working chamber and expelling a portion thereof, characterized in that it comprises: The worktable that forms the bottom surface of the work room; The lower flow path is formed by the workbench and a portion of the safety cabinet; A side flow path formed by the side of the work chamber and a portion of the side of the safety cabinet; A backflow path formed by the back of the work chamber and a portion of the back of the safety cabinet; A circulating flow path formed by at least the lower flow path, the side flow path, and the back flow path; A gap is formed on the side of the work chamber; The airflow drawn in from the side gap is directed to the side chamber of the lower flow path; Connection parts for connecting external devices to the left and right sides of the work chamber; and The gap in the connection part is used to form an air barrier at the connection part. Airflow from the working chamber is drawn in through the side gap, and then flows through the side chamber and converges into the lower flow path. The pressure in the side chamber is the same as that in the lower flow path. The side gaps and side chambers are located on the surface of the working chamber opposite to the connecting part, for achieving left-right airflow balance in the working chamber. The gap in the connecting part is located around the connecting part to draw in a portion of the airflow blown out of the working chamber. The number of side gaps is such that the side gaps can draw in the same amount of airflow as the airflow drawn in by the connecting gap.

2. The safety cabinet as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The side gap is positioned at a lower height than the device located in the work chamber.

3. The safety cabinet as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The side gap is a two-layer structure inside the work chamber.

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